Sonera Chief Looks Forward,
But New 'Golden Age' Unlikely

By

Almar Latour Staff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal

Updated March 13, 2002 12:01 a.m. ET

Last month, Harri Koponen, the chief executive officer of Finland's Sonera Corp., learned that his company had rented an exclusive yacht for an industry trade show on the French Riviera. When he called to inquire about the lavish expense, an employee told him the boat would substitute for costly hotel rooms for at least five people.

Upon arriving in Cannes for the conference a few days later, Mr. Koponen's first stop was the yacht,...